Upholstery edge



Dec. 26, 1939. wMNEss 2,184,572

UPHOLSTERY EDGE Filed Sept. 26, 1938 ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 26, 1939 UNiTED STAT PATENT FFIQE 2 Claims.

Ihis invention relates generally to furniture upholstery constructions, and particularly to the edges of the upholstered members such as mattresses, cushions,-spring seats, and the like.

In conventional manufacture, it has always been a problem to provide an edge for upholstered articles which will combine comfort with ability to wear a long time. The usual practice is to enclose the edge of the object being upholstered with layers or rolls of material such as felt, covered and secured in place by spiral-wrapped strips of burlap, cloth or the like. An alternative procedure has been to build up a roll; of felt or similar material and secure it on top of the marginal edges of the upholstered article. Apart from the fact that these processes are time-consuming and hence relatively expensive, the resulting constructions have been found to be unsatisfactory. For one thing, they are unsanitary because of the infiltration of dirt and dust, and, for another thing, they do not retain their original configuration and are quickly and easily distorted out of shape. Most upholstered articles provide straight members such as wires, straps or the like, to secure the inner assembly, which marginal members extend along the edges of the articles about the margins thereof. It is these marginal edges which are sought to be covered and protected so as to insulate them against use.

The main object of my invention, therefore, is to provide an upholstery edge which can be quickly and easily applied and secured in place about the marginal edges of the article to be upholstered; which device is simple to construct; whose shape will remain constant even after continued use; and the nature of which is such that it will not absorb dirt or dust.

A further object of my invention is the pro-vision of an edge for upholstery constructions of resilient material. v

A further object of my invention is the provision of an edge for upholstery constructions which will be of simple one piece construction.

Further objects of my invention will in part be apparent and in part be pointed out specifically hereinoelow in connection with the following specification of my invention.

Figure 1 represents a broken plan view of an upholstered frame to which one form or" an upholstery edge constructed according to and embodying my invention is applied, portions of the upholstery material being removed to expose structural details of the spring itself, as well as to illustrate the various steps in the upholstering bodying my said invention, illustrated in Figs 1-3; and

Fig. 5 is across section through another form of upholstery edge also constructed according to and embodying my invention.

Reference numeral IE] indicates generally my new and improved upholstery edge, which is formed preferably as a one piece pre-cast member of resilient material such as sponge rubber, latex composition, or the like. The external surfaces l2 of edge It] are preferably sealed to prevent adherence, or infiltration of dirt and dust particles.

As seen in Figs. 3 and 4, edge Ill is preferably egg-shaped in cross section and is provided with a pair of opposed jaws I l-l4 at its thinner end. The jaws l4, extending the length of edge l0,

are separated by a narrow channel It therebetween, which channel it communicates with a generally circular opening l8 formed in the center of the edge Ill, also extending the full length thereof, as does channel l6 (Fig. 4). In Figs. 1 and 2, I have illustrated my invention (as shown in Figs. 3 and 4) as applied to a mattress or cushion in which a spring assembly is provided, the components 22 of which are joined together at their outer edges 24 by a marginal member 26, which extends the full length of the device. As shown, the marginal member 26 comprises a round wire or rod, but may be fiat, or any other'suitable shape.

To apply my new and improved form of upholstery edge Ill, I distend jaws i l-Ml and pass the edge over the marginal member 26, so that said member passes through the channel it and is received within the central opening I8.

' Staples 28-28, or other fasteners, may then be employed to clamp together the opposed jaws M-l4 in order to lock the edge about the mar ginal member 26, so that the edge Ill cannot thereafter be accidentally displaced from its position along the end of the mattress or cushion.

I may, if desired, cement or otherwise secure a portion of burlap or other suitable material 30 to the upper portion of edge Ill, as shown in Figure 3, to which the side and top portions of the covering material 32 may be more readily applied, and secured to the frame of the article being upholstered.

In Fig. 5, I have illustrated a modified form of my invention which is designed for use with any type of spring seat or structure which is not as built up as is a mattress. In this form of my invention, the upper jaw 34 and the lower jaw 36 are not of the same size; the upper jaw 34 being much longer than is the lower jaw. Furthermore, the opening 48 which also extends the full length of this type of edge and communicates with the channel 38 between the jaws 34, 36, is not centrally located within the body of the material as is the case in the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, but is located below the center, and the larger portion 42 of the material of which the edge is formed is above the opening 40.

This particular form of my invention is best adapted for use with spring seats, in which the largest amount of wear occurs on the top edge portion of the upholstered member. Placing the bulk of the material on top guards, first, against any displacement of the roll from its original position, and, second, provides a greater degree of protection against any possibility of the edge failing to properly insulate the marginal members against contact by the person sitting on the seat. Suitable fastening means may be employed to secure the modified form of edge against displacement from about the marginalmembers. The modified form of my invention is somewhat spiral-shaped in cross section.

sulting in a substantial saving of time and labor.

The resilient nature of the material of which my edge is made insures the edge resuming its normal shape after even severe use. The sealed surface prevents the infiltration of dirt and dust, and makes for cleanliness.

My improved edge may be made in the standard sizes or may be made in lengths of great size, and sections cut therefrom to fit any particular article to be upholstered. As can be seen in Fig. l, the marginal member 26 is tied or otherwise fastened to the springs 22, the point of connection adding bulk. I make provision to absorb this bulk inside my edge within the opening which extends longitudinally through the edge.

Having now described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An upholstery edge comprising an elongated pre-formed body member of resilient material, having a pair of opposed jaws defining a channel therebetween, the opposed jaws being of unequal length and the upper jaw being substantially thicker and longer than the lower jaw.

2. An upholstery edge comprising an elongated preformed body member of resilient material, substantially spiral-shaped in cross-section, having apair of opposed jaws defining a channel therebetween, said opposed jaws being of unequal length, one thereof being thicker and longer than the other thereof.

JOSEPH S. WAINESS. 

